Chapter 3

The next day, Mr. Thompson, the head of the community arts group, called Ethan into his office. He was an older man with a kind face, a mentor who had always supported Ethan's passion for theater. He gestured to the revised dance list on his desk.

"Ethan, I saw the change you made," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I understand you and Olivia might have your little disagreements, but your families are very close. The first dance is a tradition. People expect to see you two together."

"Daniel is a better dancer," Ethan replied coolly, offering a practical, impersonal reason.

Mr. Thompson gave him a knowing look. "This isn't about who's a better dancer. This is about appearances. Don't do something you'll regret, son."

Ethan's face remained impassive. "I won't regret it." He thought of his past life, of the sixty years of regret he had already lived through. He thought of Olivia's stoic face, her heart locked away for another man. This wasn't regret, it was liberation. Pushing her toward Daniel was the kindest thing he could do for all three of them. He was setting them all free, especially himself.

A few nights later, he was walking home when he saw them. Olivia and Daniel were leaving a small cafe together. Daniel was holding a large, steaming cup, and Olivia was carefully adjusting the scarf around his neck, her fingers brushing against his skin. They were laughing, their heads close together, their body language easy and familiar. It was a picture of casual intimacy, the exact thing that had been missing from his sixty-year marriage to her. He felt a faint, phantom ache, a ghost of the husband who had once longed for that kind of simple affection from her. But it was quickly replaced by a sense of detachment. This confirmed his decision was the right one.

Daniel spotted him and waved enthusiastically. "Ethan! Heading home?"

Ethan gave a curt nod. He had no choice but to stop as they approached.

"We were just getting some hot chocolate," Olivia said, her voice even. She seemed a little flustered, as if caught doing something she shouldn't have been. "Do you need a ride? My car is just over there."

"No, thank you," Ethan said. "I prefer to walk."

Just then, Daniel shivered dramatically. "It's freezing out here! My hands are like ice."

Without a second thought, Olivia turned her full attention to him. "Here, take my gloves. Let's get you to the car quickly before you catch a cold." She took Daniel by the arm and steered him toward her parked car, leaving Ethan standing alone on the sidewalk. He watched them go, Olivia fussing over Daniel, completely forgetting her offer to give Ethan a ride. It was another small thing, but it spoke volumes. Daniel was her priority. He always had been.

As he continued his walk home, he passed a group of women gossiping near a bus stop. Their voices carried on the cold night air.

"Did you see that? Major Hayes and that Daniel Lee. They look so close."

"I heard her family arranged for her to marry Ethan Miller. I feel sorry for him."

"What's there to feel sorry about? He's..."

Before he could hear the rest, a furious voice cut through the air. "What are you idiots talking about?!" It was Kevin Green, his best friend, his face red with anger. "Don't you have anything better to do than spread rumors?"